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An analysis of referral patterns from a breast screening unit
Clinical Radiology
|November 1, 1986
Summary
Breast screening referrals result in biopsies for 2.09% of attendees, detecting 4.1 cancers per 1000. Most detected cancers were non-invasive, and mammography effectively identified abnormalities missed by clinical exams.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Public Health
Background:
- Breast screening units aim to detect breast cancer early.
- Referral rates and biopsy outcomes are key performance indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze reasons for referral from breast screening.
- To evaluate subsequent outcomes and biopsy findings.
- To determine cancer detection rates and characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients referred from a breast screening unit.
- Analysis of referral reasons, biopsy results, and cancer characteristics.
- Calculation of cancer detection rates per 1000 attendees.
Main Results:
- 4.94% of attendees were referred for assessment; 2.09% underwent biopsy.
- A cancer detection rate of 4.1 per 1000 was observed.
- 24.4% of cancers were palpable; 36.6% were non-invasive.
- Rounded ill-defined masses were the most common mammographic finding leading to biopsy.
- Cancer was detected in 15.2% of cases with microcalcification.
- Clinical examination did not identify cancers missed by mammography.
Conclusions:
- Mammography is a reliable tool in breast cancer screening.
- A significant proportion of detected cancers are non-invasive.
- Biopsy decisions are guided by mammographic findings, with a notable cancer yield.
